This blog is part of a series of four which link Olympic themes to that of a BAM startup. I apologize for those who are not sports fans and appreciate your tolerance for these four weeks.
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The sports world shares many themes with the world of work. As we watched the various sports during the Olympics of 2024, many parallels surfaced which remind us of what is also important as we work toward a successful Kingdom Business. Think of a few of them.
Excellence
At the Olympics we see the best athletes in the world dedicate themselves to the highest of standards often over numerous years. The result is a beautiful thing to see. For me, a good example was the men’s 4x100m relay final. The team had been together for more than 8 years painstakingly working toward the goal, winning Bronze in Rio, Silver in Tokyo, and now the gold in 2024.
“We trust in each other, and we know each other well,” Jerome Blake said. “We just know what are the cues, what are the switches we need to flip in each person. We have such a big trust and faith in each other.”
Scripture also gives us a call to excellence, not just in sports but in all things:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3: 23-24
PhotoUp is a BAM company in the Philippines, with almost all employees being Muslim and Hindu. In a recent interview with company leadership, Bob Bush was reminded that demanding excellence in the workplace is to best way to “live like Jesus”.
Sacrifice
Unwavering perseverance and personal sacrifices are common themes among elite athletes and celebrated team championships. In an unusual example this year, NBC News reported, “They say the road to Olympic glory is paved with sacrifice. For Australian field hockey star Matt Dawson, he gave up more than most: the top part of a finger on his right hand.” As it turns out, Dawson was facing surgery just weeks before the Olympics which would eliminate him from the Australian national field hockey team. After consulting with his wife, he chose a more sacrificial option, which meant he could play – amputation.
“If taking the top of my finger was the price I had to pay, that’s what I would do. … [If] we get the gold in the end, it’s not a really big price to pay then.” It turns out the team did not get gold as they did in 2004.
Again, the apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 9: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Elsewhere he highlights the importance of disciple, focus and self-control.
Think about what distractions might hinder what could be in your BAM business. The writer of Hebrews says it this way, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).
Mentorship
Many of the athletes gave credit to someone who was their guiding star, someone who was their hero, their example, their model. Sometimes, they were even discipled or coached by that person.
For heptathlete Anna Hall, it was Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a multi-medal athlete in the heptathlon and the long jump. The two have a special bond, with Jackie offering support and guidance to Anna during some of the most challenging moments in her life with foot and knee surgeries which threatened to end her dreams. As a mentor and friend, Jackie, would send messages, check in from time to time and give reminders.
Sprinter Noah Lyles called his mother Keisha his “biggest inspiration” in an interview with NBC Olympics. “My mom has made a lot of sacrifices for me and my brother,” Noah said, lauding her for being a hard worker who encouraged him to dive fully into his own passions.
The Bible talks about mentoring as well. Barnabas mentored by encouraging others. The apostle Paul mentored Timothy and said in I Corinthians 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Paul says again in 1 Thessalonians 2: 8 “Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.” And the book of Proverbs captures the idea in 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Mentoring is no new concept to BAM owners and leaders. However, I am amazed how many I meet who cannot point to someone who is mentoring them – someone who is encouraging them – someone who affirms. I enjoyed hearing Ben say recently. “Bill was my mentor”. You will be encouraged to read a little of Ben’s story in “Missions Disrupted” starting on page 92.
Joy in the process
One of my favorite races was the women’s 400m hurdles. After all, our youngest son specialized in that while in university, running it for all 4 years. The winner in this years’ Olympics was Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone with a world record 50.37, her 6th world record. I was impressed with her perspective on life, racing and encouraging those around her.
“It’s a blessing. Just grateful for another opportunity, grateful to be healthy and to come out of it in one piece. There was a lot of anticipation leading up to this race,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “Just grateful for all that has been taking place. God has been good to me.” She goes on to credit her success in part to her parents not putting too much pressure on her. “They just let me go out and run for fun and not focus on placement or titles,” she told MileSplit. “That got me to enjoy it more.”
James 1:2-3 captures this sentiment: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Athletes find joy in incremental improvements, sometimes in fractions of a second or in millimeters. We need to trust God for joy in the small milestones, whether in our employee lives, increased sales, spiritual victories, or the latest innovative idea. We are Jesus’ representatives in our business and community. People will see Jesus in us through our joy.
Priorities
Four years ago, the celebrated gymnast, Simone Biles bowed out of a couple of events where she seemed to be a sure winner. Everyone was baffled and disappointed. Some were even angry. Soon it was revealed to be for mental health reasons. But Simone is no quitter. She realized that burnout was something that is curable, and she set out to get the help she needed.
After winning three golds and one silver in 2024 she is now the most decorated American gymnast in history. She is an Olympic flag-bearer, and she is only 27-years of age. And she had the courage to care for her mental well-being.
Likewise, we need to look out for mental exhaustion in the workplace. Building a Kingdom Business in a cross-cultural context is one of the most difficult tasks anyone can attempt. If more than 75% of US workers surveyed admit to feeling burnt out in the past year, we certainly need to see it as a risk factor in building Kingdom Businesses abroad.
Consider it mandatory to prioritize your well-being in your overseas workplace. Think day of rest – think delegation – set boundaries – communicate with bosses and mentors – identify stressors – practice saying ‘no’. Above all pray more; meditate more and read the Word more – and seek help.
Innovation
A sports innovation which started in 1968 is observed in every Olympics since then. In that year, Dick Fosbury won gold in the high jump with a revolutionary technique which became known as the Fosbury Flop. The innovation was a product of both his engineering and athletic background, two unrelated fields brought together by his creativity and experimentation.
Having an innovative mindset is important at work, as it leads to growth, not stagnation. It creates or adds value to a product or a service, but also involves a degree of uncertainty and risk. Failure often occurs. Several short stories in the book, Missions Disrupted: From Professional Missionaries to Missional Professionals highlight innovation which resulted in risk, failure and ultimate success. Read about PhotoUp (page 142ff), Sunshine Nut Company (page 160ff), Hamara Feed (page 171ff), Dignity Coconuts (page 188).
In Exodus 35:30-35, Bezalel is often credited for his innovative abilities in constructing the Tabernacle. Innovation not only comes from natural talent but also divine wisdom, understanding, and empowered craftsmanship, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel… and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship.”
BAM projects must encourage creativity and innovation. World demand and markets require innovation, the bible values it, and God has created mankind to innovate.
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com